very BEST FROM THE BRITISH ISLES Scotland is a regular participant at Expo and this year Scottish Food and Drink International is hosting 13 companies from the mainland, Western Isles and Orkney in the Scottish pavilion. "Expo is an excellent opportunity to raise Scotland's profile further in the UK and export markets,' says organiser Raymond Prendergast. The emphasis will be on specialities, with exhibitors featuring the full range of traditional products the country is noted for. Some products have a modern twist, such as the bramble whisky liqueur being shown by the Scottish Liqueur Centre, while others, such as the Te Bheag Unchilfiltered malt whisky made by Praban Na Linne (Gaelic Whiskies), is made by traditional methods.The company says this whisky, which accounts for a third of its sales, is now developing a cult following among malt drinkers. On a less potent note, Sangs (Banff) is showing its award winning Deveron Valley Spring Water and MacB sugar free drinks. Klinge Foods is attending with its LoSalt reduced sodium salt alternative. Smoked and cured fish will have a big presence on the stands of Orkney Herring Co, Inverawe Smokehouse, Lion Speciality Foods and Salar. Orkney Herring is continuing its strategy of adding value by unveiling its latest development, whole crayfish tails in a sweet chilli dressing. Another Orkney participant Orkney Creamery will be seeking new customers for its rich ice cream. Local, quality assured fresh beef and lamb will be featured by Millers of Speyside and Orkney Meat, along with cooked meats from Brown Brothers and Fenton Barnes. Lawsons of Speyside is departing from tradition with six flavoured haggis, including honey and rum and haggis a l'orange. The Welsh Development Agency is hosting 15 companies who will be exhibiting under Wales ­ the True Taste banner. "Since we developed our True Taste brand positioning, the promotion of Welsh food and drink at exhibitions has significantly improved, generating a new level of confidence in Welsh products," says WDA programme development manager Arwyn Davis. Seeking new business will be Sub Zero, which has won awards from the Ice Cream Alliance and the Great Taste Awards for its dairy ice cream. New flavour and packaging will be unveiled. Cheesemakers targeting buyers include South Caernarfon Creameries, which is announcing extensions to its pre-packed range and expansion of its manufacturing plant, and Pant Mawr Farm Cheeses whose hand made range includes the award winning Smoked Cerwyn. Another award winning company, Welsh Smoked Foods is extending its range of pâtés and smoked meat and fish, with a new Welsh Kipper pâté. On the drinks front, Prince's Gate Spring Water is featuring its still, sparkling and Twist flavoured waters, while the Welsh Whisky Co is showing its distinctive range. Other exhibitors include Blindings, which is promoting its new mustards and ambient sauces; Patchwork Traditional Food Co, Fiona's Fudge Michton, Siocled, the Cheesemakers Association of Wales and Welsh Lamb & Beef Promotions. In addition, Pembrokeshire Produce is launching a new food and drink guide. Northern Ireland's pavilion will feature 10 companies whose product range includes fresh mushrooms (McGeary's and Hughes Mushrooms), frozen potato products (Ballymoney Foods), and bakery (Ormeau Bakery and Evron Foods). Dairy products will be featured by Fivemiletown Creamery and Halib Foods International, mineral and flavoured water by the Classic Mineral Water Co, and chicken and egg products by Ferne Foods. The Livestock and Meat Commssion for Northern Ireland will be promoting the country's red meat industry. Although the republic won't have a pavilion, it will be represented by four companies, Bantry Bay Mussels, Goldstar Meats, Kosy Shack and Lowe Refrigeration. {{FOCUS SPECIALS }}